Multitrack Spectrum Analyzer

A multi-track spectrum analyzer application designed for a plug-and-play experience with instances of its associated plugin running in a DAW.

Summary

I implemented this application to have a way of quickly getting visual feedback on which frequency ranges my instruments were taking up when working on a mix. I prioritized ease of use - in other words, I wanted to go with a DAW-agnostic workflow, avoiding manual routing of tracks whenever possible.

Technical Details

This project consists of a VST plugin that performs spectrum analysis on individual tracks, and a standalone GUI application that displays data from instances of the plugin.

To avoid manual routing via DAW functionality or relying on memory sharing between plugin instances, I opted to perform frequency analysis within each individual instance of the plugin, and send the data via OSC (Open Sound Control) protocol to the main spectrum analyzer GUI application. This architecture also easily allows for automatic detection of new tracks and real-time updates of plugin settings.